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Protect your brain and memory: memory and focus

Memory, thinking and dementia risk. What people try, how far the research on each has got, and the products that contain them.

What people try

4ExerciseStage 4 · Widely recommended · Free, for almost everyoneExercise is anything that gets your body moving.Main risk: Using weight machines improperly can cause back injury.4GLP-1 drugsStage 4 · Widely recommended · PrescriptionGLP-1 drugs are a class of medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar, and some are used for weight loss in people with obesity.Main risk: The semaglutide page warns that it may raise the risk of thyroid tumors, including a type of thyroid cancer.3Omega-3 fatty acidsStage 3 · Large studies in people · Food, supplements and a prescription formMost research has focused on two omega-3s called EPA and DHA.Main risk: The pages say side effects are usually mild, such as unpleasant taste, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea.3Plasma exchange and young plasmaStage 3 · Large studies in people · Clinics and clinical trialsReplacing part of the liquid part of the blood (plasma), either with a saline and albumin mix or with plasma from young donors.2Thymus regenerationStage 2 · Small studies in people · Clinical trials onlyEfforts to regrow the thymus, a gland in the chest that trains immune cells and shrinks with age.2CreatineStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementCreatine is a compound stored in your muscles that supplies them with energy.Main risk: Creatine can cause weight gain because it tends to make the body hold water, but it is otherwise considered safe for healthy adults.2Hyperbaric oxygen therapyStage 2 · Small studies in people · Hospitals and private clinicsHyperbaric oxygen therapy gives you pure oxygen in an enclosed space with higher than normal air pressure.Main risk: You might feel pressure in your ears, and they may pop afterward.2GlyNAC (glycine and NAC)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementsNAC is used as a drug for acetaminophen overdose and to help break up mucus.Main risk: The pages list stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and similar problems as the common side effects of NAC.

Products

Sorted by the best research stage of each product's ingredients, then by price. The stage describes research on the ingredient, not proof that the product works.

Supplements 20

ProHealth Longevity · softgelPure Krill Oil Omega-3 - 500 mg, 60 softgelsOmega-3 fatty acids3 Ingredient research: large studies in people$18.74Thorne · softgelSuper EPA - NSF Certified for SportOmega-3 fatty acids3 Ingredient research: large studies in people$45Thorne · softgelOmega-3 with CoQ10CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10), Omega-3 fatty acids3 Ingredient research: large studies in people$55ProHealth Longevity · softgelExtra Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil - 120 softgelsOmega-3 fatty acids3 Ingredient research: large studies in people$59.95Nordic NaturalsUltimate Omega 3 One DailyOmega-3 fatty acids3 Ingredient research: large studies in peoplePrice not checked yetOptimum Nutrition · powderMicronised Creatine PowderCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$14.99Optimum Nutrition · gummyCreatine [+]Creatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$16.99ProHealth Longevity · capsulePure Glycine - 1000 mg, 120 capsulesGlyNAC (glycine and NAC)2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$19.95Optimum Nutrition · powderMicronized Creatine PowderCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$20.49ProHealth Longevity · capsulePure N-Acetyl Cysteine - 600 mg, 120 capsulesGlyNAC (glycine and NAC)2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$22.95Thorne · capsuleGlycineGlyNAC (glycine and NAC)2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$31ThorneCreatine - Travel PacksCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$36ProHealth Longevity · capsuleGlycine + NAC PackGlyNAC (glycine and NAC)2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$38.95MomentousCreatine - 90 ServingsCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$42.99ThorneCreatine - 90 ServingsCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$44ProHealth Longevity · powderLongevity Creatine Pure Powder - 450 gramsCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$49.95ProHealth Longevity · powderLongevity Collagen Complete Powder - 690 gramsGlyNAC (glycine and NAC)2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$59.95Thorne · capsuleNAC - N-Acetylcysteine - 180 ServingsGlyNAC (glycine and NAC)2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$63Elysium HealthCreatine+Creatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$70ThorneCreatine - 180 ServingsCreatine2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$84

Recent research

Summary of earlier studies

Tiny particles and microRNAs may link exercise to brain aging

This review looks at small molecules carried in body fluids that may help exercise affect the aging brain.

New trial

Study compares muscle tiredness in younger and older adults and tests strength training

Researchers plan to compare younger and older adults to learn why leg muscles tire faster with age.

New trial

Can light weight training with blood flow limits help colon cancer survivors with muscle loss?

This is a trial plan that has not reported results yet.

Trial in 240 adults aged 50 or older with sarcopenia, at six hospitals in Beijing

Testing a traditional Chinese exercise against resistance training for muscle loss

This is a plan for a study, and it has not started recruiting people yet.

Trial in 50 adults aged 52 to 65

Testing balance and walking after a 4-week AI-guided exercise program

This study plans to check balance, walking, and brain activity before and after 4 weeks of exercise.

See all the latest research →

What others are writing

Recent articles from health journalists, hospitals and universities. We link to them; we don't write or endorse them.

STAT · May 29, 2026

GLP-1 microdosing is popular, but there's little evidence it works ↗

GLP-1 drugs: A weight-loss doctor argues that microdosing GLP-1 drugs for weight loss is unsupported by legitimate long-term data.

health.harvard.edu · Maureen Salamon · Apr 15, 2026

GLP-1 drugs may lower odds of developing substance use disorders ↗

GLP-1 drugs: A study of US veterans suggests GLP-1 drugs are linked with lower risks of developing substance use disorders.

hsph.harvard.edu · Maya Brownstein · Feb 25, 2026

GLP-1 drugs combined with healthy lifestyle habits linked with reduced cardiovascular risk among diabetes patients ↗

GLP-1 drugs: A Harvard-led study found that GLP-1 drug users who also kept healthy habits had lower cardiovascular risk among diabetes patients.

NPR · Maria Godoy · Sep 1, 2025

Influencers tout the benefits of creatine supplements. Is it healthy or all hype? ↗

Creatine: NPR reports that creatine supplements have strong evidence for adding lean muscle when combined with resistance training, though brain benefits need more research.

This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.